Mission Statement

Art is the Universal Language. We are passionate about Islamic Art as a translator and connector across generations and cultures. The Islamic Art Revival Series Experience 2012 has been developed across a broad artistic spectrum to appeal to children... Read more

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Mission Statement

Art is the Universal Language.

We are passionate about Islamic Art as a translator and connector across generations and cultures.

The Islamic Art Revival Series Experience 2012 has been developed across a broad artistic spectrum to appeal to children and adults of all ages, faiths, and ethnicities. Events provide access to high-level artistic programs for all potential attendees regardless of geographic isolation, race, income, age, sex, handicap, or social barriers.

The Islamic arts include visual and performing arts and architecture produced beginning in the 7th century and continuing until today by people of all faiths who lived in areas ruled and/or inhabited by "culturally Islamic populations." Islamic art is not restricted to religious art, but includes all art forms of the rich and varied cultures of Islamic societies. Methods include calligraphy, painting, ceramics, glasswork, jewelry, textiles, poetry, music, singing, and fashion. among others.

Description

The Islamic Art Revival Series Experience 2012 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 22 at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX.

This is a unique opportunity for people of all ages, faiths, and cultures to experience the rich and variedvisual and performing arts of the Islamic world right here in North Texas.

The IARS Experience 2012 will have three simultaneous daylong events:

1) hands-on art activities, including henna art, calligraphy and geometric tessellations as well as anopportunity to try on and be photographed in ethnic costumes;

2) an Islamic art fair featuring the works of professional painters and other artists; and

3) rotating performances. These include lectures on Islamic Art, storytelling, singing, drumming, apuppet show, fashion show, and panel discussion made up of women artists, plus twoshort films. The first film is about Arab-Ottoman music. It was filmed in Turkey and inSyria, just prior to the revolution. The second film is from world- famous photographer Peter Sanders.

In addition, there will be a short lecture on Dallas’ own downtown treasure, Thanks-Giving Square’s Chapel. This amazing, spiral landmark was designed by the world famous architect Philip Johnson, and is based on the curvilinear design of the renownedGreat Mosque of Samarra’s Al-Malwia, freestanding minaret of Iraq.

All of the Saturday events and activities will focus on sharing the beauty, depth and breadth of the Islamic arts as a heart-opening experience of universal beauty, open to people from all cultures and age groups.

Tickets are $8.50 for adults, $6 for students/seniors, $3 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for children 2 and under. Children’s tickets include some activities and babysitting services. The Charles W. Eisemann Center is located at 2351 Performance Dr.,Richardson.

With its plethora of cultural diversity, one of the attributes of living in Texas is the specialopportunity residents have to build cultural bridges within the state’s diverse population,which includes nearly 140,000 Muslims. IARS demonstrates this diversity by showcasingart from across the Islamic world.

Islamic Art Revival Series events add to the rich cultural heritage of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.Founded in North Texas in 2011, Islamic Art Revival Series coordinates events designed to be replicated in any city. IARS held its first event in May with the Dallas premiere of a Unity Productions film, Islamic Art: Mirror of the Invisible World, at the Dallas Museum of Art.

IARS depends largely on the generous sponsorship of people, businesses, and organizations,including IARS’ partner organizations, the Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and Aramco Services Company. Lead sponsors include the Elfarouq Foundation, The Harold Simmons Foundation, the Contemporary Arab and Muslim Cultural Studies Institute (CAMCSI) at University of North Texas, Thanks-Giving Square,The Art of Islamic Pattern (UK), Fun Asia, Radio Azad, the Marriott Dallas/Addison at Quorum, the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Dallas, and numerous individuals.